US Flag Code: Complete Guide to Flag Etiquette, Display Rules & Protocol
The US Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1 of the United States Code) establishes the rules for handling and displaying the American flag. While the Flag Code is advisory (not penal) in nature — the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson (1989) that flag desecration is protected speech under the First Amendment — proper flag etiquette remains a deeply respected tradition. This guide covers everything you need to know to display Old Glory correctly and with dignity.
✅ Things You MUST Do
Display the Flag from Sunrise to Sunset
The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If you want to display it 24 hours a day, it must be properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Raise the flag briskly and lower it ceremoniously.
Position the Union (Blue Star Field) Correctly
The blue star field (union) must always be in the position of honor — the flag's own right. When hung vertically against a wall, the union should be at the observer's upper left. When displayed on a pole, the union must be at the peak. When displayed over a street, the union should face north or east.
Keep the Flag in Good Condition
Repair or replace a flag when it becomes worn, faded, torn, or soiled. A damaged flag should not be displayed. When the flag is no longer in fitting condition, retire it with dignity (preferably by burning in a ceremonial setting).
Salute the Flag Properly
When the flag passes in parade or during the Pledge of Allegiance: persons in uniform give the military salute; civilians stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Men should remove their hats (if non-uniform) and hold them over their left shoulder with their right hand over the heart.
❌ Things You MUST NOT Do
Let the Flag Touch the Ground
This is the most well-known rule: the flag should never touch anything beneath it — not the ground, floor, water, or merchandise. This rule applies during raising, lowering, folding, and display.
Use the Flag as Clothing, Bedding, or Drapery
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, curtains, or drapery. This includes flag-printed clothing worn in a way that treats the flag design disrespectfully (though flag-print clothing that does not use an actual flag is generally accepted as patriotic expression).
Display the Flag in Bad Weather (Unless All-Weather)
The flag should not be displayed during rain, snow, or high wind storms unless it is made of all-weather material (nylon, polyester, or similar). Most modern flags are all-weather flags.
Place Anything Above or to the Right of the Flag
No flag, pennant, or decoration may be placed above the US flag or to its right (the flag's own right, which is the observer's left). The only exception is the church pennant during naval chapel services at sea.
Use the Flag for Advertising or Commercial Purposes
The flag should not be used for advertising purposes, printed on disposable items (napkins, boxes, etc.), or embroidered on articles that will be discarded after temporary use.
📋 Complete Flag Code Summary
| Rule Category | Requirement | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Display Time | Sunrise to sunset; 24h if illuminated | 4 USC §6(a) |
| Hoisting/Lowering | Hoist briskly, lower ceremoniously | 4 USC §6(b) |
| Position - Union | Union at peak, never flown union-down except distress | 4 USC §6(c), §8(a) |
| Position - Wall | Union at observer's upper left (vertical) or upper right (horizontal) | 4 USC §7(i) |
| Multiple Flags | US flag highest/in center; no flag above or to its right | 4 USC §7(c),(e) |
| Half-Staff | Raise to peak, then lower to midpoint | 4 USC §7(m) |
| Covering Casket | Union at head and over left shoulder; never lowered into grave | 4 USC §7(n) |
| Retirement | Destroy with dignity, preferably by burning | 4 USC §8(k) |
Half-Staff Rules
When the flag is flown at half-staff (or half-mast), it honors the memory of a deceased official or serves as a sign of national mourning.
| Officials | Duration |
|---|---|
| President or former President | 30 days |
| Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker of the House | 10 days |
| Associate Justice, Cabinet Secretary, former VP, Governor | Death to interment |
| Member of Congress | Day of death and following day |
| Memorial Day | Half-staff until noon, then full staff until sunset |
| National tragedy (Presidential order) | As proclaimed |
Procedure: To place the flag at half-staff, first hoist it to the peak for an instant, then lower it to the half-staff position (the midpoint of the flagpole). Before lowering for the day, raise it to the peak again, then lower completely.
How to Fold the Flag
Folding the flag requires two people. The standard procedure:
- Hold the flag taut at waist height, parallel to the ground.
- Fold the flag lengthwise (bottom stripe over the union).
- Fold it lengthwise again, with the union on the outside.
- Starting from the striped end (opposite the union), make triangular folds, bringing the striped corner to the open edge.
- Continue triangular folding until only the blue union and stars are visible.
- Tuck the remaining edge into the fold to secure. The finished triangle should show only stars.
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